Method of and machine for lasting boots and shoes



ll Sheets-Sheet 1 C. F. HAMMANN Fi1ed sept. 9, 1940 June i6, 1942.

METHQD OF ND MACHINE FOR-LASTING BOOTS AND SHOES 11 shets-sheet 2 C. F.HAMMANN Filed Sept. 9, 1940 METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING BOOTS ANDSHOES .Fun 16, 1942.

.Fume 16, 1942. c. F.HAMMANN I 2,286,362

I METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR. LASTING BOOTS AND SHOES l y Filed sept. 9.1940 1 1 sheets-sheet 5 June 16, E942. c. F. HAMMANN 2,286,362

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTINvG BOOTS AND SHOES ll Sheets-Sheet 4Filed sept. 9, 1940 hm @WFL Nw L .1.1.2.

W INVENTOR.

Jue 16, 1942. hc. F. HAMMANN METHOD -OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING BOOTSAND SHOES Filed sept. 9, 1940 l11 sheets-sheet 5 INVETOR.

1l Sheets-Sheet 6 C. F. HAMMANN Filed Sept. 9, 1940 METHOD OF ANDMACHI-NE FOR LASTING BOOTSv AND SHOES June 16,-194'2.

' i IVENTOR. @ma @w y BY C. F. HAMMANN Juney 16, 1942.

METHODOF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING BOOTS AND SHOES Filed Sept. 9, 1940 1lSheets-Sheet '7 ...HVIM H y ,HHIIIIIIJA I y INVENTOR. I

June 16, 1942. c. F. HAMMA-NN METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR LASTING BOOTSAND SHOES ll Sheets-Sheet 8 I l [E: I

l INVENTOR. 4@ma fr W June 16, 1942. l c. F. HAMMANN 2,286,362

METHOD OF A'ND MACHINE FOR LASTING BOOTS ANDSHOES Filedsept. 9, 1940 11sheets-sheet 9 INV ENTOR.

`un'e 16, 1942. c. F. HAMMANN 2,286,362

METHOD oF AND MACHINE FDR LASTING BooTs AND SHOES Filed Sept. 9, 1940 llSheets-Sheet lO 1N VENTOR. fr) Wa-m/mM/J N AA A A5, N ALA .2mm

June 16, 1942. 2,286,362

METHOD oF AND MAQHINE FOR LASTING BOOTS AND sHoEs c. F. HAMMANN 11Sheets-sheet 11 Filed Sept. 9, 1940 INVENTOR.

Patented June 16, 1942 UNITED STATI-:s PATENT oFFllcE METHOD F ANDMACHINE FOR LASTING BOOTS AND' SHOES Carl F. Hammann, Boston, Mass.,assignor'to North American Holding Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application September 9, 1940, Serial No.355,964

. 48 Claims. (Cl. 12-2) My invention relates to boot and shoe lastingmachines of that class which is constructed with a pair of driven rollsbetween which the marginal portion or skirt of a shoe upper is grippedand by which it is fed laterally while said shoe upper and an innersoleare in position upon a last. In operating a machine of this class thelast with said shoe parts mounted thereon is held in proper positionrelatively to said rolls by an operative who directs and controls thelateral movement of the last so that said rolls not only traverse theskirt of the shoe upper but also pull or stretch the latter around thecorner of the last and lay it down on to the innersole to which itissecured as the pulling-over operation progresses.

My invention provides an improved boot and shoe lasting machine of theclass indicated which, in the preferred form of the invention,

' may be constructed and operate as set forth in the followingdescription, the several novel features of the invention beingseparately pointed out and dened in the claims at the close of thedescription.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly broken away and in section, of aboot and shoe lasting machine embodying this invention.

. Figure 2 is a front elevation of part of the loW` er portion of themachine shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, of themachine shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a detail relating to part of the mechanism shown in Fig; 3.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of thev head of the machine shown in Figs.1A and 3, with the housing, hereinafter referred to, removed.

Figure 6 is a detail illustrating the construe'- tion of the twoclutchlevers hereinafter described.

Figure 7 is a section on line I-l of Figs. 5 and 8.

Figure 8 is a topl plan View of the head shown i in Figs. 5 and 7.

Figure 9 is a section on line 9 9 of Fig. 7. Figure 10 is a section online Ill--IU of Fig. 8.

Figure 11 is a partial section on line II-II of Fig. 10.

Figure 12 is `a'section on line I2-I2 of Fig. 9.

Figure 13 is a section on line I 3I3 of Fig. 9.

Figure 14 is a section on line I4-I4 of Fig. 9.

Figure l5 is a section approximately on line I5-I5 of Fig. 5.

Figure 16 is an enlarged elevation of one of the staples hereinafterreferred to.

Figure 17 shows a length of wire such as is employed in producing thestaple of Fig. 16.l

Figure 18 is a fragmentary sectional view, enlarged, illustrating theconstruction of the lower wire feeding and wire roughening roll herein-yafter described. y

Figure 19 is a detail in plan, full size, showing the staple feedingslide and the magazine hereinafter described.

Figure 20 is a side elevation of the magazine for holding a file ofstaples fromwhich they are `1 denvered, one at a time, to the stapledriving mechanism described later.

Figure 21 is a plan view of the magazine, but

with its top wall removed and partly in section. Figure 22 is anelevation of the rear end of the magazine shown in Fig. 20.

Figure 23 isa section on line 23--23 of Fig. 20.

Figure 24 is a section on line 24-24 of Fig. 20.

Figure 25 is an elevation of the front end of the magazine.

Figure 26 is a side elevation, enlarged, illus-` trating theconstruction of the pair of feed rolls v hereinafter described.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a column I0 (Figs.1 and 2) provided at its lower end with a hollow pedestal I I and at theparts of a sectional sheet metal housing I6 by which most of said frameand other parts of the mechanism are inclosed.

A shelf I'I and drawer Ila are provided upon the exterior of the frontof column Ill for the convenience of the workman, said drawer beingyslidably mounted within a compartment provided upon the under side ofthe shelf.

A pair of upper-gripping rolls I8 and I9 (Figs. 1, 2, 11 and 15) aresupported in position at the front of the frame I4 of head I2 where theyare accessible to the operator who stands in front f of the machineholding a last (Fig. 15) to which an innersole 2| and upper 22 have beenIapplied. The axes of these two rolls are preferably disposed in onevertical plane.

The rolls I8 and I9 are momentarily separated by depression of a footlever 24 (Figs. 1 and 2) to permit entry of the flange or skirt 23 ofthe upper between said rolls after which rotation of the rolls feedssaid flange or skirt laterally carrying the innersole and last with it.

As the rolls I8 and I9 traverse the skirt of the upper the side o-f theshoe is manually held against a guide roll rotatably mounted upon theframe I4 of the head I 2. while the upward pull of said rolls upon theskirt or ange 23 holds the innersole 23 snugly against the convex lowerend of the roll I9 which therefore also serves as a shoe guidingabutment.

The upper-pulling action of the rolls Ill'anfcl- K beveled gears 35 withthe upper end of a shaft I9 is occasioned by manually maintaining theshoe in a slightly laterally tilted position relal tively to the planeof the axes of the rolls so that the portion of the flange of the upperthat is-.j. approaching the bite of said` rolls is somewhati urgedupwardly toward and against roll I9 while the operator holds the shoeagainst guide roll 25. These actions of the feed rolls, Acombined withthe lateral pressure exerted by the operator in holding the lshoeagainst the guide roll 25, stretches the upper around the corner of thelast and lays a portion of the skirt or flange thereof down on to theinnersole, as shown in Fig. l5, where it is secured either by cement orby fastener elements, or by both cement and fastener elements ifdesired.

The fastener elements employed may, as herein contemplated, consist ofwire staples which are automatically fabricated and driven into theupper skirt and innersole as the pulling over operation progresses, andthe Imechanism embody- `ing this feature of the invention includes astaple driver 26 (Figs. 5 and 15) disposed closely alongside of the feedrolls I8 and I9 and partly behind the roll I 8.

This driver 26 occupies a position between the feed rolls and a wiperelement 21 (Figs. 5, 7 and 9) provided at its upper end with a laterallyprojecting trunnion 28 by which it is pivotally mounted on head frameI4.

As will presently be explained, control rnecha-v nism is providedthrough which the operator may at will adjust the machine so as'to causethe feed rolls I 8 and I9 to be continuously rotated in unison in thedirections of the arrows in Fig.

' 15 while the staple making and driving mecha.

under either condition of adjustment and serves to wipe the skirt of theupper down on to the innersole as or just after it leaves the feedrolls.

At the rear thereof the head frame I4 is provided with an upstandingbracket extension I4a (Figs. 7, 8 and 10) made with bearings with-- inwhich is journaled a vertically disposed continuously driven prime powershaft 29 having a pinion 30 fixed on its lower end portion and a worm 3Ifixed on its upper end.

. The worm 3l `continuously drives a worm gear 32 loosely mounted on ahorizontal shaft 33, but adapted to be coupled thereto, as describedlater,

so that said shaft is, at times, rotated by and with said worm. Shaft 33is journaled at its one end in a bearing provided at the top of bracketextension I4a and near its opposite end in a bearing provided at the topof an upstanding wall I4b`forming an integral part of head frame I4.

The staple making and driving mechanisms are actuated by this horizontalshaft 33'Which, at times, also serves to actuate the feed rolls I8 andI9 intermittently through the medium of a second horizontal shaft 34(Figs. 7 and 11) connectfr". ,..a

ed with feed rou I9, and a third horizontal shaft 35 carrying the otherfeed roll I8. v

At its front end the shaft 34 is connected by 31 which extends obliquelydownwardly from said 'gears to the other feed roll I9 which forms arigid part thereof.

The forward end of the second horizontal shaft 34 is rotatably'supported by a bearing 38 provided upon a carriage 39 that is slidablehorizontally, in ways provided upon the wall or upstanding extension I4bof the head frame I4, in a direction parallel with shaft 34, while theoblique shaft '31 is also journaled in bearings provided upon saidcarriage. The gears 36 are completely inclosed within a Vgrease-holdingchamber 40 provided upon the carriage 39.

The lower, or third, horizontal shaft 35 is journaled within a bearingprovided in the base` portion of the head frame I4 and is provided atits rear end with a bevel gear 4I in mesh with and driven by a bevelgear 42 fast on a second vertical shaft 43 whose upper portion isjournaled in a bearing provided within the rear upstanding bracketextension I4a. f

At its upper end shaft 43 is provided with, a bevel gear 44 meshing witha bevel gear 45 having an elongate tubular hub journaled in a bearing 46provided upon the front section of bracket extension I4a of the frame.

The tubular hub of gear 45 is made with a longitudinalslot 41 that isoccupiedby a key 4B projecting radially from the second horizontal shaft34 so that the latter may be moved axially within said hub, but mustrotate with it. In other words, the rear end of shaft 34 istelescopically tted within and splined -to the tubular hub of gear 45. l

The hub of gear 45 includes, as a rigid part thereof, a collar 49 madewith a circular radial ange 50 (Figs. 6 and 1l) which is confined withinthe hub of a clutch lever 5I that is pivotally supported by the hub ofgear 45 and provided upon its interior with clutch elements 52cooperating with the periphery of flange 5I! so that upward.- swingingmovement of lever 5I acts through the clutch elements to turn gear 45and shaft 34 with it, while movement of. the clutch lever in theopposite directionvis effected independently of gear45 and shaft 34.Thus the lever 5I may be regarded as of the over-running type since itis possible for shaft 34 to be rotated continuously in the direction ofthe arrow (Fig. 6) independently of the clutch lever, as presently to bedescribed.

As shown in Figs. 5` and '7, the clutch lever has pivotally connected toit a pitman 53 Whose strap embraces a double eccentric 54 fast on theupper horizontal. shaft 33. Thus, when lshaft 33 is rotated it will actthrough eccentric 54 and pitman 53 to vibrate lever 5I and the latterwill act through its clutch mechanism andthe hub of gear 45 to rotatethe second horizontal shaft 34 step-by-step in the direction indicatedby the arrow in Fig. 7. As will be clear, this intermittent movement ofshaft 34 will be transmitted through gears 36 (Fig. 11) to shaft `31carrying feed roll I9 and through gears 45 and 44, shaft 43 and gears 42and 4I, lto shaft 35 carrying feed roll I8. i

The worm gear 32 at the rear end of shaft 33 is continuously driven bythe Worm 3I on the prime power shaft 29 (Figs. '7, 8 and 10) and one endof its hub is made with crown teeth 55 to cooperate with a bolt 55 whichis yieldin gly urged toward said hub by a spring-51, said spring andbolt being parts of a coupling clutch that is indicated generally at 58.This coupling clutch comprises inner'and outer body members,

as shown in Fig. 7, which are rigidly fastened together and to shaft 33,the double eccentric 54 being an integral part of the outer body memberof said coupling clutch 58. y Co-operatively disposed with respect tocoupling clutch 58 is a bolt-operating member 59' herein shown as in theform of a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends as at 68 toone side of the bracket I4a. One arm of member 59 occupies an annulargroove 6I provided upon the exterior ofthe body of coupling clutch 58across which groove the bolt 56 extends. 'I'he extremity of this arm ofmember 59 is made wedge-shaped so as to provide a cam surface 6I (Fig.8) against which a shoulder 62 on bolt 56 rides when said arm is swungdownwardly into the path of the bolt. This retracts bolt 56 against thepressure. of its spring' 51 (Fig. '7) thereby disconnecting thecontinuously rotating worm gear`32 from shaft 33 and stopping thevlatter.

The other arm of member-59 is connected by an endwise extensible andcontractible link 63- Rock-shaft 68 is provided with a third arm` 1Iprovided at its free end with a truck or roll which, at all times, isheld against a cam 12 projecting upwardly from a slide-bar 13 movablysupported by a bearing 14 fixed to one of the side walls of column I0.

Slide-bar 'I3 extends through bearing 14 to the exterior of column Iwhere it is provided with a leg pad 15 of rubber or the like mountedwithin ahpad-holder 16 that is made upon its rear side with a threadedstem 11. This stem extends through a slot 18 (Fig. 2) provided in an arm13b projecting radially from slide-bar 13. As will be clear, holder 16may be adjusted lengthwise of slot 18 to suit the convenience of theoperator and fixed in its adjusted position by two nuts mounted on stem11.

A coiled spring 80 mounted upon the inner end portion of slide-bar 13bears at its one end against the inner side of one of the walls oflcolumn Iand at its opposite-end against a collar 13a on slide-bar 13,and normally this spring yieldingly holds the slide-bar at the limit ofits outward movement. as shown in Fig. 4.

In the drawings, however, the slide-bar is shown at the limit of itsinward movement where it is held, against the pressure of spring 80, byone leg of the operator as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. When theslide-bar 13 occupies this position, the arm 1I is supported by thehighest elevation of cam 12; link 61 is at the limit of itsv downwardmovement, and the inner camarm of bolt-operating member 59 of head I2 isheld out of engagement with clutch bolt 56 (Figs. 7 'and 8). Therefore,shaft 33 is coupled to the continuously rotating .worm gear 32 andshafts 34 and 35 are-being intermittently actuated .to feed the workstep-by-step past the feed rolls I8 and I9. While operating under theseconditions the staple making and driving devices are in action also.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the rock-shaft 65 carrying the arms 64 'and66 is journaled in bearings provided upon a box-like bracket 8| fixed inposition against the bottom side of the head frame I4 and within saidbracket the shaft 65 has xed on it a' forked arm or yoke 82 whichembraces a clutch member 83 splined on the shaft 43 referred tofabove.Loosely mounted within an annular groove (not shown) provided upon theexterior of clutch member 83 is a collar 84 to the oppositesides ofwhich the tines of yoke 82 are pivotally connected.

lIt will now be clear that the yoke 82, rockshaft 65 and the two arms 64and 66 provide a rigid shipper unit that is manually operated andcontrolled through the medium of the leg-operated slide-bar 13 and thatthis unit serves the double function of operating clutch member 83 andbolt-'retracting member 59.

The link 63 (Fig. 10) comprises a rod or stem 85 whose upper end ispivotally connected to the outwardly extending arm of bolt-operatingmember 59 and whose lower end. is provided with a head 86 disposedwithin a sleeve 81 telescopically fitted on the lower end of stem 85.The lower end of this sleeve is closed and pivotally connected to arm 64while its upper end is occupied by a tubular plug 88 having threadedengagement with the interior'of the sleeve. Normally the head 86 isyieldingly held against the inner end of plug 88 by a spring 89 confinedwithin the sleeve.

The purpose of this construction will presently appear, -but it may benoted here that when the shipper unit 64-66-82 occupies the positionshown in Fig. 10 clutch member 83 occupies an inoperative position atthe time of its upward movement on shaft 43, the cam arm of member 59 isabove the path of bolt 56, and shaft 33 is .being driven in thedirection of the arrow.

It will also be noted that if the arms 64-66 are swung upwardly farenough to lower the cam arm of member 59 into its operative positionagainst the bottom of the groove 6I Fig. 8) where it retractsbolt 56,rotation of shaft 33 will be stopped and clutch member 83 (Fig. 10) willoccupy an idle intermediate position.

Also, continuation of upward movement of arm 64 beyond such intermediateposition will compress spring 89 and at the same time cause yoke 82 toshift clutch member 83 downwardly to the limit of its movement in thatdirection where its teeth are meshed with the teeth of a comple,-mentary clutch member 98 herein shown. as the hub ofl a gear-9| that iscontinuously driven by the gear 30 that is fast on the prime power shaft23. The gear 9| loosely surrounds the 4shaft 43 and its hub is in partjournaled in a bearing -provided in the bottom wall of the boxlike-bracket 8 l As shown in Fig. 4 the cam 12 on slide-bar 13 is formedwith two elevations 92 and 93 of diierent heights between which there isprovided a depression or socket 94.

When slide-bar 13 is held at the limit of its outward movement by springas in Fig. 4 the arm 1I .is supported by the lower elevation 93 and actsthrough the connections described to hold clutch member 83 in an idleintermediate position with the cam arm of member 59 seated within groove6I so that shafts 33, 34, 35, 31 and, 43 are at rest; when slide-bar 13is adjusted in'4V wardly to a position where arm 1I (Figs. 3 and 4) issupported within socketA or depression 94,

. said ar-m acts through the connections described frame I4 by a screw|08 engaging the end thereoi v and a clamp plate |09 engaging the sideof the shafts 34, 35, 31 and 43 rotating continuously,

and when slide-bar 13 is adjusted inwardly to the limit of its movementin that direction the arm 1I is supported by the highest elevation 92and acts through the connections described to maintain clutch 83 andbolt-operating member 59 in the positions shown in Fig. 10.

Thus, by means -of the single control member `13 and associated partsthe operator may at will cause the shafts 34, 35, 31 and 43 to be drivenintermittently from shaft 33 by holding said control member at the limitof its inward movement, as shown in Fig. 3; by permitting spring 80 tohold said control member at the limit of its outward movement as shownin Fig. 4, shafts 33, 3'4, 35, 31 and 43 will be maintained at rest,andby holding the control member 13 in an intermediate position saidshafts 34, 35, 31 and 43 will be driven continuously while shaft 33remains at rest.

While shaft 34 is being driven intermittently by shaft 33 acting throughpitman 53 and the one-way clutch lever I it is operated by eachlup-stroke of said lever and while it is being driven continuously in thesame direction by gear 9| (Fig. 10) the shaft 33, pitman 53 and clutchlever 5| are at rest and said shaft 34,

together with the elongate hub of gear within which it is splined (Fig.l1) are free to over-run or rotate within the clutch hub of said lever.

A supply of wire W from which the staples, hereinabove referred to, areproduced is held upon a spool 95 (Figs. 5 and 8) rotatably mounted upona spindle 96 projecting forwardly from an upstanding bracket 91 fixed inposition upon the top of the head'frame I4.

Remov'ably mounted upon, and interlocked with, the front end of spindle96 is a collar 98 against which spool 95 is yieldingly urged by a same,said clamp plate being held in bladeclamping position by a screw asshown in Fig. 5. The groove |06 'and blade |01 provide a wireconfiningand wire-directing passageway disposed at right angles to the* anvil nI0`4a through which the wire is intermittently fed by feed rolls I0| and|02.

At its inner end knife blade |01 is made with an oblique cutting edge||0 with which a complementary oblique cutting edge III (Fig. 14)provided at the lower'end of die |05 co-acts to shear the wirediagonally so that the vopposite endsof each staple blank produced atthe anvil |04a are pointed as shown in Fig. 1'1. The oblique cuttingedge III at the lower end of die |05 is formed by beveling one side ofthe die as shown at ||3 (Fig. 14).

The die |05 is rigidly clamped within a recess I I4 (Figs. 14 andl5),provided at' one end of a cross-head II5 by means of a screw II 6engaging the-upper endthereof and av screw I I1 engaging the outer faceof said die, the latter being formed with a longitudinal slot II8 thatisoccupied by the shank of screw I|1 so as to provide for accuratesetting of the die with respect to anvil I04a when cross-head ||5occupies its lowyermost position.

The upper end of the staple driver 26, hereinabove referred to, isrigidly clamped (as shown)A connecting rod |2| by which the cross-headis connected with the wrist pin |22 of a crank-arm |23. The hub of thiscrank-arm is loosely mounted upon the forward end of the upperhorizontal shaft 33 which is continuously driven coiled 'spring 99 thatis mounted on spindle 96 between said spool and bracket 91. Thus springbraking action on the spool which prevents overrunning of the latter.

The wire W extends from spool 95 through a guide |00 fixed to frame I4by which it is directed between a pair of intermittently operated feedrolls IOI and |02. From the feed rolls the wire passes through a secondguide |03 by which its advance end portion is directed into positionimmediately above an anvil |04a (Figs. 14, 15 and 19) where it occupiesa position between said anvil and a vertically movable bifurcated die|05, at a moment when said die occupies a position above that shown inFig. 14 out ofthe path of the wire.

The anvilA I04a is a vertically disposed n provided upon the top side ofa hardened steel block |04 xed in position within a recess provided inwhen the feed rolls I8 and I9 are being intermittently driven but whichis at rest while said feed rolls are being continuously driven.

A circumferential slot |24 (Figs. '1, 8 and 14) is provided in the hubof crank-arm |23 and this slot is occupied by a radial lug or arm |25that is a rigid part of shaft 33. During one-half of each revolution ofshaft 33, while the latter is in use, the lug |25 traverses slot |24 inthe direction of the arrow in Fig. 14 until said lug engages the endwall |26 of slot |24. Thereafter, during the last half revolution ofsaid shaft the lug or arm |25 swings crank-arm |23 upwardly untilwristpin I 22 passes dead-center position above shaft 33 whereupon thecrank-arm is thrown downwardly and returned to its normal position by'apair of coiled springs I 21 each of which is mounted upon one of theguide-bars I I9.

During the upward swing of crank-arm |23 the springs |21 are compressedbetween the head frame and cross-head |I5 so that as the wrist pin I 22passes dead-center position above shaft 33, the cross-head is throwndownwardly by the springs independently of lug or arm I2 with sufficientforce to causedie |05 tocut a staple blank (Fig. 17) from the advanceend ofthe wire W and form it into afstaple S (Fig. 1'4) on anvil I04a.Simultaneously, the driver 26 (Fig. 15) is caused to drive a previouslymade staple into the shoe upper and innersole.

These staple making and driving operations occur simultaneously duringeach period of rest of the feed rolls I0 and I9 and between stepmovements of the wire W effected automatically as presently to bedescribed. That is to say. during each revolution of shaft 33 the wire Wis automatically advanced a distance equal to the length of a staple andat about the same time the work is advanced by the feed rolls I8 and I9a predetermined distance equal to the desireddistance between thestaples that are driven into the work, after which the cross-head isoperated to simultaneously form one staple on the anvil |04a and driveanother previously made staple into the work. Y

Fixedly mounted upon the rear end of the cross-head |5 is a verticallydisposed cam |28 (Figs. '1 and 15) co-operating with a bell-crank lever|29 fulcrumed at |30 upon the upstanding wall 4b of the head frame I4.The shorter arm of this bell-crank carries a truck or roll I3I whichbears against the cam |28 while the other longer arm of said bell-crankextends downwardly into an aperture |32 formed in a feed slide |33movable endwise within a groove or channel |34 formed upon the top sideof the base portion of the head frame I4. At its one end the slide |33is forked to provide a pair of longitudinally disposed tines |35disposed upon opposite sides of anvil |04a as shown in Fig. 19.

The rear end portion of slide |33 is formed with a longitudinal chamber|36 within which is arranged a coiled spring |31. The forward end ofthis spring bears against the inner end wall of chamber |36 while itsopposite end bears against a lug I 38 which projects downwardly intogroove |34 from a plate |39 fastened by screws tothe base portion offrame 4 as shown in Fig. 9. The spring |31 yieldingly urges the feedslide |33 toward anvil |04a andalso maintains the truck or roll |3| inengagement with the cam |28.

When the cross-head ||5 is moved upwardly, as above described, there isa staple S occupying a position upon the anvil |04a which was producedduring the preceding revolution of shaft 33 and as cross-head 5 movesupwardly the cam |28 permits the spring |31 to move the feed slide |33toward the right in Fig. 15 so that its tines |35 act to/ shoveV thepreviously formed staple S olf from anvil |04a and on to a rail |40forming part of a magazine which is illustrated in detail in Figures 19'to 25, inclusive, said rail 40 abutting one end of anvil |04a and beingalined therewith so that it, in effect, constitutes a staple-holdingcontinuation thereof.

Before the cross-head `||5 is driven down-l wardly by the springs |21the wire W is fed Vforwardly a distance equal to the desired length ofthe staple blank and after this feeding movement of the wire thecross-head ||5 is driven downwardly by its springs |21 and the die |05rst severs the staple blank from the advance end of the wire W andthereafter folds the opposite ends thereof downwardly against theopposite sides of the anvil |04a. 1

When the advance end of the wire is fed for-v wardly as described, itcomes into position between the top of anvil |04a and a shoe |4| that ispivotally mounted at |42 upon the plate |39. Therefore, when cross-head||5 is driven downwardly by springs |21, the opposite ends of the blankare rst folded downwardly against the opposite sides of the anvil andthereafter the die |05 drives the shoe |4| downwardly forcibly againstthe top intermediate portion of the staple. When a staple is formed overthe anvil 'there is a tendency for the said intermediateportion to archacross the top of the anvil and it win therefore be clear Ythat when theshoe m is driven down on to said top, the latter is straightened so thatit is approximately at right angles with respect to the legs of thestaple.

A spring |43, bearing against the top of shoe |4| at the rear' of thepivot |42, serves to elevate the staple-engagingend of said shoe so asto position it above the path of the incoming wire when cross-head ||5,with the die |05. is moved upwardly as described. A stop screw |44adjustably ymounted in plate |39 limits the upward Ithe slot between thetines at the lower end of the die,

'I'he uppermost wire-feeding roll |0v| is fixed in position upon theforward end of a horizontally disposed spindle |45 rotatably mountedeccentrically within a rocker sleeve |46 journaled within a bearingprovided on the head frame I4. The axes of spindle |45 and rocker sleeve|46 are disposed in a horizontal plane at right angles with respect to avertical plane passing through the axis of spindle |45 and the axis oflowermost feed roll |02.

Rigidly clamped in position upon the rocker sleeve |46 by means of ascrew |41 (Figs. 9 and 13) is an upwardly projecting lever arm A|48 towhich is connected one end of a spring |49 which acts upon the lever arm|48 in a direction to yieldingly urge spindle |45 and the uppermost feedroll |0| toward the axis of the .lower feed roll |02.so that the wire Wis forcibly gripped by the two feed rolls. An adjustable stop screw |50,carried by the split hub of lever arm |48 engages the top ofthe baseportion of head frame I4 to prevent contact between the two feed rollswhen there is no wire between them.

The lowermost wire-feeding roll |02 is fixed in position upon theforward end of a horizontally vdisposed spindle |5| (Figs. 5, 10 and 12)which is disposed directly below, and parallel with, the spindle |45 ofthe uppermost feed roll.

The lower'spindle |5| extends rearwardly beyond the upper spindle |45and has mounted thereon the hub of a clutch lever |52 which may beconstructed the same as the clutch lever shown in Fig. 6. l Thisclutchlever |52 is vibrated by the double eccentric 54 (Fig. '1) actingthrough a pitman' |53 (Figs. 5 and 10) whose' upper end is provided witha strap encircling said eccentric and whose lower end ispivotally andadjustably A'connected with the outer portion of the clutch lever |52.When this clutch lever is vibrated by the eccentric, it is effectiveupon its upward stroke only to turn the lower spindle |5| a.predetermined distance, and this distance may be varied or regulated byadjustment of a screw |54 (Fig. 12) extending' through and havingthreaded engagement with av block |55 that is mounted within a radialslot |56 formed in the arm of clutch lever |52.

As shown, particularly in Figs. 10 and 12, the lower spindle |5| carriesa gear |51 which drives a gear |58 fast on the upper spindle |45. 'I'husthe-two spindles I 45 and |5| are intermittently operated step-by-stepin timed relation with the movements of the cross-head while shaft 33 isbeing operated.

The hub of the lowermost gear |51 (Figs. 9

and 12) is embraced by a pair of brake arms |59 which are pivotallyanchored at |60 to the base portion of head frame |4. A screw |6|extends loosely through an aperture in the uppermost arm |59 and itslower end portion occupies a threaded aperture provided in the lowermostarm |59. A coiled spring |62 disposed between the uppermost brake armand the head of screw |6| causes both brake arms to yieldingly grip thehub of the lowermost gear thereby to hold the wire-feeding rolls and |02against rotative displacement between movements thereof.

The uppermost feed roll |0| (Fig. 9) is made upon its periphery with ashallow circumferential groove |63 that is occupied by the portion ofthe wirethat is between the two feed rolls. 'I'his groove serves to'holdthe wirel against lateral side as indicated by dotted lines in Fig.- 17.When said blank is formed into a staple as Shown in Fig. 16, the scoredside of the wire is upon the interior of the staple and the projectingburrs thereof serve to anchor the staples securely within the materialinto which it is driven.

When the feed slide |33 (Fig. 15) is actuated by spring |31 to transfera nished staple S from anvil |04a to the rail |40 of the staple-holdingmagazine, the said staple is slid forward by the feed slide into aposition between the rail |40 and a spring-pressed shoe or detent |61(Figs. 19, 21l and 23). This shoe yieldingly clamps the staple againstsaid rail and holds it against backward movement with the feed slidewhen cam |28 on the cross-head acts through lever |29 (Fig. 15) toretract the feed slide during the downward stroke of the cross-head.

As shown in Figs. 2l and 23, the s'hoe |61 is an angular block of metalslidably mounted within a recess formed in the body |68 of the magazineand yieldingly urged toward rail |40 by a pair of coiled springs |69.

The body |68 of the magazine is of trough-like form and the rail |40 isa vertically disposed rib provided at the bottom of the trough |12. Acap plate |10 fastened in position upon the top of body |68 closes allof the top of thev trough, except for a narrow slot |11 (Figs. 19 and 24through which the contents'y of the magazine may be observed by theoperator.V

At its forward end the magazine body 68 is made with a head |13 (Figs.15 and 20) whose lower end is coincident with a horizontal plane that istangent to the bottom of feed roll i8 so that said lower end isimmediately adjacent to, and practically in contact with, the upper 22of the shoe.

Upon its front side the head |13 is formed with a vertical T-shapedchannel |14 (Figs. 19 and 20) within which the driver 26 is mounted forendwise reciprocatory movement therein, said driver also being T-.shapedcross-section to' fit said channel as shown in Fig. 21. When the driver26 occupies its uppermost position the trough |12 of the magazine bodycommunicates rail |40 is immediately adjacent to, and in register with,the same.

When the shaft 33 is first started with the staple magazine empty thestaple-making mechanism functions to produce staples and-deliver thesame into the magazine until the file of staples built up on rail |40 isof such length that thereafter each feeding stroke 'of slide |33 movesthe entire file of staples endwise and forwardly on rail |40 until theforemost staple of vsaid file is brought to bear against stop shoulders|15 (Fig. 19) within the vertical channel |14 while the driver 26 iselevated so that when the driver descends said foremost staple is driven-downwardly through the channel |14 and into the shoe. i

The tread of the last 20 (Fig. 15) is provided with a sheet metal plate|16 by which the ex- 4 tremties of the staple legs are upset orclinched,

Also, the legs of the staples may be produced slightly divergent, asshown in Fig. 16, so that when forced into channel |14 by the feed slideeach will frictionally grip the opposite sides thereof.

The wiper element 21, hereinabove referred to, is pivotally supportedimmediately alongside 'of the magazine head |13 as shown in Figs. 5 and9. A link |16 (Figs. 7, 10 and 11) connects this wiper element with aslide |11 mounted in ways provided upon the bottom side of head frame 4adjacent to the .vertical shaft 43 so that it is movable toward and fromthe latter. Slide |11 carries a roll or truck |18 which is yieldinglyheld by a spring |80 against a star cam |19 fast on` shaft 43. Asindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7, this spring bears at its one endagainst a shoulder or frame |4 and' at its opposite end against a lug18| (Fig. 12) provided upon the top side of slide |11. slide |11 andlink |16 to continually vibrate wiper 21 while shaft 43 isintermittently rotated step-by-step by shaft 33 and also while shaft 43is continuously rotated by gear 9|.

Wiper element 21 forces or irons the pulledover portion of the skirt ofthe upper down on to the innersole progressively as it leavesA the feedArolls I8 and |9 and is especially designed for use while the feed rollsare continuously driven and cemented shoe parts are being operated upon.

As herein shown, the prime power shaft 29 may be continuously driven byan electric motor |82 (Figs. 1 and 2) mounted within the column |0. Asshown, the armature shaft of motor |82 is provided with a stepped pulley|83 connected by a belt |84 with a stepped pulley |85 fast on a coun-`cuit of motor 82 is controlled, as usual, by a manually operated switch(not shown) mounted upon the exterior of column |0.

The slide carrier or slide`39 (Figs. 9 and l1) A which carries the frontfeed roll and shafts 31 with the vertical channel |14 and one end of 75and 34, is slidably mounted within a recess provided upon one side ofthe upstanding wall |41) of the head frame and is retained within saidrecess by a plate |88 fastened by screws to the frame, said slide beingmovable in its ways in a direction lengthwise of shafts 34 and 35.Normally a spring |89 yieldingly urges slide 39 rearwardly so as to holdthe feed roll i9 against or close to the feed roll I8 when a shoe upperis not As willbe clear, cam |19 acts through between said rolls; Spring|89 is mounted within a chamber |90 formed longitudinally in carrierslide 39 and one end of said spring is anchored at |9| to the slidewhile its opposite end is connected with a screw |92. This screw isprovided with a nut |93 bearing against a washer |94 which in turn bearsagainst the rear ends of the frame wall |4b and plate |88. Screw |92extends loosely through the washer |94' so that by rotatively adjustingnut |93 screw |92 may be shifted endwise to regulate the tension ofspring |89.

Journaled in bearings provided at the rear ends of wall |4b and plate|88 is a rock-shaft .|95 having fixed thereon a radial arm |96 normallybearing against the rear end of slide 39. Shaft |95 also has fixed onvit an arm |91 to which is pivotally connected one end of a link |98.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the link |98 extends downwardly from arm I91, through column I and into pedestal whe're its lower end is piv- Y soconstructing and arranging the two feed rolls otally connected to an arm|99 fast on a rockshaft 200 journaled at its opposite ends in bearingson pedestal 'I'his rock-shaft carries a pinion 20| meshingwith agear 202fast on a second rock-shaft 203 also journaled at its opposite ends inbearings provided on pedestal Treadle 24 is fast on rock-shaft 203 andgear 202 is made larger than pinion l20| so that a relatively smalldownward movement of treadle 24 will act through gear 202 and pinion 20|to effect a greater downward movement of link |98. It will be clear thatwhen treadle 24 is pressed downwardly it acts through the connectionsdescribed to swing arm '|96 toward the right in Fig. 1l and said armwill shift slide 39 forwardly thereby separating the feed rolls I8 and|9 to permit the shoe upper to be inserted, or withdrawn from, betweensaid feed rolls.

It will be clear that the purpose of the slot 41 and key 48 (Fig. ll) isto permit of endwise movement of shaft 34 relatively to the tubular hubof gear 45 when slide 39 is thus adjusted on the frame, so as tomaintain driving connection between said shaft and hub at all times.

The lower end of the pitman 53 (Figs. 5 and 6) is pivotally connected toa block 204 slidably mounted within a. radial slot 205 formed in the armof clutch lever 5|, said block being made with a threaded hole extendingtherethrough which is occupied by a screw 206 carried by arm 5|. Thisscrew normally holds block 204 in fixed position Within slot 205 but byrotation thereof said block may be adjusted radially to vary theeffective length of arm 5|. It will thus vbe clear that by varying theeffective length of arm 5| the length of the step movements imparted tothe work, and therefore the distance between the driven staples, may bevaried as desired within limits determined by the lengths of slot 205and of screw 206.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, and as shown in Fig. 26,the conicity of feed rolls I8 and I9, and the relative disposition oftheir axes, is such that the lower ends of said rolls are closertogether than the upper ends thereof. That is to say, the opposedupper-engaging surfaces atA the bite of said rolls diverge slightly fromtheir lower larger ends toward their smaller upper ends so that theupper-gripping action of the rolls is greatest at their larger ends andtherefore it is possible for slippage to occur between the top portionof the upper flange or skirt and the rolls as the latter traverse saidskirt or flange.

From the above description it will be obthat the portion of the skirt ofthe upper which -ls gripped'between vsaid rolls, is maintained by thelatter in an oblique. outwardly inclined position so that it is disposedat an obtuse angle with respect tothe direction of the upper-engagingstroke of the wiper element 21 so that the latter delivers a glancingblow against the upper alongside of said gripped portion thus avoidinginjury to the same. This is a distinct advantage derived from a pair offeed rolls constructed and operating substantially as described. Anotheradvantage is that the pull ofthe rolls upon the gripped portion of theskirt of the upper as said rolls traverse the latter, is also effectedin an outward oblique direction which tends to pull the upper snugly andforcibly around the corner of the last in a direction toward the middleof the latter.

` What I claim is:

1. A machine for lasting a shoe upper while said upper and an innersoleare assembled upon a last, said machine including, in combination, upperlasting mechanism comprising a pairl of rotatable upper-gripping membersfor engaging the skirt of the upper, and means for rotating said membersintermittently to cause the same to traverse the skirt of the upperstep-by-step while said last and shoe parts are supported and guidedpast said members so as to cause the latter to progressively pull thesame inwardly toward the middle of the innersole.

2. A machine for lasting a yshoe upper while said upper and an innersoleare assembled upon a last, said machine including, in'combination, apair of feed rolls for gripping the skirt 0f the upper, and means forrotating said feed rolls intermittently to cause the same to traversethe skirt of the upper step-by-step While said last and shoe parts aresupported and guided Apast said rolls so as to cause the' latter toprogressively pull the same inwardly toward the middle of the innersole.

3. A lasting machine constructed in accordance with claim 2 and whereinthe axes of said feed rolls are disposed at an angle relatively to eachother.

4. A machine for lasting a shoe upper while said upper and an innersoleare assembled upon a last, said machine including, in combination', apair of feed rolls for gripping the skirt of the upper; means forrotating said feed rolls intermittently to cause the same to traversethe skirt of the upper step-by-step while said last and shoe parts aresupported and guided past said rolls so as to cause the latter toprogressively pull the same inwardly toward the middle of the innersole,and means for guiding said last and shoe parts in their movement pastsaid feed rolls.

5. A lasting machine constructed in accordance with claim 4 and whereinthe axes of said feed rolls are disposed at an angle relatively to eachother.

6. A machine for lasting a shoe upper while said upper and an innersoleare assembled upon a last, said machine including, in combination, apair of feed rolls for gripping the marginal portion of the skirt of theupper to pull the same inwardly toward the middle of the innersole;means for rotating said feed rolls intermittently to cause the same totraverse the skirt of the upper step-by-step while said last and shoeparts are supported and guided past said rolls so as to cause the latterto progressively pull the same which. said last and shoe partsare guidedin their movement past said feed rolls, and means for Y drivingfasteners one at a time into said upper vand innersole during periods ofrest of said rolls.

7. Av lasting machine constructed in accordance with claim 6 and whereinthe axes of said feed rolls are disposed at an angle relatively to eachother. Y

8. A machine for lasting a` shoe upper while said upper and an innersoleare assembled upon a last, said machine including, in combination, apair of feed rolls for gripping the skirt of the upper; means forrotating said rolls intermittently to cause the same to traverse theskirt of the upper step-by-step while said last and shoe parts aresupported and guided past said rolls so as to cause the latter toprogressively pull the same inwardly toward the middle of the innersole;a xed frame by which said feed rolls are supported, and a work-rest onsaid frameicol-acting with one of said rolls to guide said lastand shoeparts in their movement past said feed rolls.

9. A lasting machine constructed'in accordance with claim 8 and whereinthe axes of said feed rolls are disposed at an angle relatively to eachother. i

10. A machine of the class described for lasting a shoe upper while saidupper and an innersole are assembled upon a last, said machineincluding, in combination, 'a pair of conical feed rolls for grippingthe skirt of the upper, and means for rotating said rolls to cause thesame to traverse the skirt .of the upper while said last and shoe partsare supportedand guided past said rolls so as to cause the latter toprogressively pull the same obliquely inwardly toward the middle of theinnersole.

ll. A machine ol the class described constructed in accordance withclaim 10 and Wherein the opposed portions of the peripheries of saidrolls at the bite between the latter diverge toward the smaller ends ofsaid rolls so that the latter grip the upper with greater force at theirlarger ends than at their smaller ends.

12. A machine of the class described for lasting a shoe upper while saidupper and an innersole are assembled upon a last, saidmachine-including, in combination, a pair of conical feed rolls forgripping the skirt of the upper, one of said feed rolls being made atits larger end with a convex innersole-engaging abutment surface, andmeans for rotating said rolls to cause the same to traverse the skirt ofthe upper and progressively pull the same obliquely toward the middle ofthe innersole.

13. A machine of the class described for lasting a shoe u'pper whilesaid upper and an innersole are assembled upon a last, said machineincluding, in combination, a pair of conical feed rolls for gripping theskirt of the upper; two shafts each of which supports one of said rolls,the axes of said shafts being relatively disposed at an acute angle, andmeans for rotating said shafts and rolls to cause the latter to traversethe skirt of the upper and progressively pull the same obliquelytowardthe middle of the innersole.

14. A machine of the class described for lasting a shoe upper while saidupper and an innersole are assembled upon a last, said machineincluding, in combination, a pair of feed rolls for gripping themarginal portion of the skirt of the upper; means `for-rotating saidfeed rolls to cause the same to traverse the skirt of the upper whilesaid last and shoe parts are supported and guided past said rolls so asto cause the latter to progressively 'pullthe Ysame obliquely inwardlytoward the middle of the innersole; a frame providing a stationarysupport for one of said rolls'; a carrier movably mounted on said frameand by which the other roll is supported so that it is movabletoward'and from said first-mentioned roll when said carrier is adjustedon said frame; means operableto yieldingly urge said carrier inadirection to cause said rolls to grip the skirt of the upper; a wiperelement, and means for operating said wiper element to cause the same topress the inpulled portion of the skirt down on to the innersole'.

15. A machine of the lclassdescribed for lasting a shoe upper while saidupper and an innersole are assembled upon a last, said machineincluding, in combination, a pair of feed rolls for gripping themarginal portion of the skirt of the upper, said rolls having their axesdisposed at an angle relatively to each other; means forrotating saidfeed rolls to cause the same to traverse the skirt of the upper whilelsaid last and shoe lparts are supported and guided past said rolls so asto cause the latter to progressively pull the same obliquely inwardlytoward the middle of the innersole; a frame providing a stationarysupport for one ofsaid rolls; a carrier movably mounted on saidframe andby which the `other roll is supported so that it is movable towardandfrom said mst-mentioned roll when said carrier and means for guidingsaid last and shoe is adjusted on said frame, and means operable toyieldingly urge said carrier in a direction to cause said rolls to gripthe skirt of the upper.

16. A machine of the class described for lasting a shoe upper while saidupper and an innersole are assembled upon a last, said machineincluding, in combination, a pair of feed rolls for gripping the skirtof the upper; means for rotating said feed rolls to cause the same totraverse the skirt of the upper circumambiently While said last' andshoe parts are supported and guided past said rolls so as to cause thelatter to progressively pull the same obliquely inwardly toward themiddle of the innersole; a frame providing a stationary support for oneof said rolls; a carrier movably mounted on said frame and by which theother roll is supported so that it is movable toward and from saidfirst-mentioned roll when said carrier is adjusted on said frame; meansoperable to yieldingly urge said carrier in a direction to cause saidrolls to grip the skirt of the upper; manually operable mechanism foradjusting said carrier on said frame; a wiper element, and means foroperating said wiper element to cause the same to press the inpulledportion of the skirt down on to the innersole.

17. A machine of the class described for lasting a shoe upper while saidupper and an innersole are assembled upon a last, said machineincluding, in combinations a pair of feed rolls for gripping themarginal portion of the skirt of the upper; means for rotating saidfeed. rolls to cause the same to traverse the skirt of the uppercircumambiently while said last and shoe parts are supported and guidedpast said rolls so as to cause the latter to progressively pull saidmarginal portion obliquely toward the middle of said innersole therebyto lay an adjacent portion of said skirt on to the outer face of theinnersole, parts in their movement past said feed rolls.

18. A machine of the class described for lasting a shoe upper while saidupper and an innersole are assembled upon a last, said machineincludmiddle of the latter thereby to lay an adjacent portion of saidskirt on to the outer face of the innersole; means for guiding said lastand shoe parts in their movement past said feed rolls, and means forautomatically driving ay fastener into said skirt and innersole adjacentto said feed rolls during each period of rest of the latter.

19. A machine for lasting a shoe upper While said upper and an innersoleare assembled upon a last, said machine including, in combination, apair of feed rolls for gripping the marginal portion of the skirt of theupper; means for rotating said feed rolls intermittently to cause thesame to traverse the skirt of the upper circumambiently step-by-stepwhile said last and shoe parts are supported and guided past said rollsso as to cause the latter to progressively pull said marginal portionobliquely inwardly relatively to said innersole toward the middle of thelatter thereby to lay an adjacent portion of said skirt on to the outerface of the innersole; means for guid- -ing said last and shoe parts intheir movement past said feed rolls, and means for automatically drivinga staple into said skirt and innersole adjacent to said feed rollsduring each period of rest of the latter.

20. A machine for lasting a shoe upper while said upper and an innersoleare assembled upon y a last, said machine including, in combination, a

pair of feed rolls for gripping the marginal portion of the skirt of theupper; means for rotating said feed rolls intermittently to cause thesame to traverse the skirt of the upper ciroumambiently step-by-stepwhile said last and shoe parts are supported and guided past said rollsso as t cause the latter to progressively pull said marginal portionobliquely inwardly relatively to said innersole toward the middle of thelatter thereby to lay an adjacent portion of said skirt on to the outerface of the innersole; means for guiding said last and shoe parts intheir movement past said feed rolls, and means for automaticallyfabricating a staple during each period of rest of said roll andsimultaneously driving a previously fabricated staple into said upperand innersole.

21. In a lasting machine of the class described, the combination with apair of intermittently ro tated upper-gripping feed rolls, of a frame bywhich saidrolls are supported; a cross-head mounted on said' frame forreciprocatory movement; a fastener-driving element carried by saidcross-head; a channel on said frame within which said driving element ismounted for reciprocatory movement with said cross-head; a shaft that iscontinuously rotated in timed relation with respect to the intermittentmovements of said feed rolls; a rotatably supported crankarm providedwith a Wrist pin; `aconnecting rod connecting said wrist pin with saidcross-head; a spring yieldingly holding said cross-head normally at thelimit of lits movement in one direction with said driving element at thelimit of its driving stroke means carried by and rotating with saidshaft operable during each revolution of the latter to swing said crankarm from a dead center position at one side of its axis of rotation to aposition just beyond dead center position at the opposite side of saidaxis to stress said spring and then release said arm thereby to permitsaid spring to effect a fastener-driving stroke of said cross-headindependently of said shaft, and means for feeding fasteners one at atime into said channel in timed relation with respect to thereciprocatory 'movements of said driving element so that each fasteneris driven into the work by said driving element when the cross-head isactuated by said spring and while said feed rolls are at rest.

22. In a lasting machine of the class described the combination with apair of intermittently rotated upper-gripping feed rolls, of a frame byn which said rolls are supported; a cross-head mounted on said frame forreciprocatory movevment; means for reciprocating said cross-head intimed relation with the movements o f said feed rolls; a fastenerdriving element carried by said cross-head; a channel on said framewithin which said driving element is mounted for reciprocatory movement'with said cross-head; an*V anvil fixedly supported on said frame; awirecutting blade fixed in position on said frameadjacent to said anvil;a die mounted on said crosshead and cooperating with said blade andanvil; a movably supported shoeoccupying a position between said die andsaid anvil; means for intermittently feeding Wire into position betweensaid shoe and said anvil so that when said cross-head is moved on onedirection a staple blank is severed from said wire and formed into astaple on said anvil, said die acting through said shoe to straightenthe top` portion of the staple, and

means for automatically feeding said staple to ward said channel duringthe retracting movement of said driving element.

23. In a lasting machine of the class described the combination of claim22 wherein a magazine is provided on saidv frame between said anvil andsaid channel and into which the staples formed on said'anvil aredelivered one at a time by said staple-feeding means so as to maintainWithin i Within said magazine a file of staples ywhich is movedendwise-by each Istaple as the latter is transferred from the anvil tooneend of thev magazine by said staple-feeding meansy thereby to moveinto said channel the endmost staple at the opposite end of saidmagazine, and a springpressed detentvadj'acent to the entrance end ofthe'magazine for engaging each staple fed into the latter to hold itagainst movement toward said anvil.

25. In a lasting machine of the class described, the combination ofclaim 22 and wherein said staple feeding means includes a reciprocatorystaple-feeding member movably mounted on said frame; a lever pivotallymounted on said frame for moving said member in one direction; a

spring for moving said member in the opposite f direction, and a cam onsaid cross-head for operating said lever.

26. In a lasting machine of the class described,

